I had a massive fine for unfiled tax returns after I started being self-employed but then got a job offer and being silly naive me, didn't think I had to declare to HMRC that my circumstances had changed. As soon as I called them, they stopped the accruing fine and gave me a couple of weeks to sort out my paperwork and file a return. Once I filed a return showing I had earned no money on a self-employed basis, they revoked the whole fine. The call centre people are surprisingly nice and friendly and will tell you exactly what you need to submit to sort the problem out.

We had this... "Accidentally forgot" to tell HMRC that we had a house we rented out. Got a letter asking us to confirm date that rental income started and income and expenditure since then (broken down annually). We owed roughly £50 per year for the 6 years. Paid the lump sum, and end of issue. No charges. I also forgot to pay employers NI contributions of about £200 when I had an assistant for about 6 months. They wanted to fine me £800 coz I buried my head in the sand for about 2 years. Wrote an apologetic letter and paid the outstanding NI and they wrote the fine off. We're a bit crap when it comes to paying stuff. Thank god for direct debits!

Yes, you will be able to pay in instalments. Am I correct in thinking that you own rental properties but the rent you receive is only enough to cover the mortgage on them? Is this why you are not making any profit?

I've been investigated by HMRC and really the thought is 1000 times worse than the reality. They are just people.

Be 100% honest and just get it over and done with. Then get an accountant. If they are good they will save you more money than they cost and take a load of worry away. But really, if you can't manage can't you just get out of the business?

I know we should have but we haven't. For about 3 years. We rent properties but do not make a profit - accidental landlords really. Anyway I have been childish and not opened any letters until today. Which (and I can only imagine this is for starters) states I owe over £1000 for non returns and that if I don't contact them to settle they will send debt collection around. What can I do? I don't have anywhere near enough to pay them. Month on month we just about make ends meet. But I don't have the paperwork anywhere near sorted to file returns. Any advice? Will they really send someone round? If they did, what would they do? Could they forcibly enter and take stuff? Husband working overseas til end April and most stuff in his name so I can't really do much until he's back. Any advice would be well received